SundanceTV's 'Rectify' to End After Four Seasons

In this story

AMC Networks also announced a new family drama, 'The A-Word,' which will air on SundanceTV later this year after its spring premiere on BBC.

SundanceTV is closing the book on Rectify.

The channel's original drama series will end after its upcoming fourth season, it was announced Friday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.

The critical darling earned an early season four renewal in July on the eve of its third season premiere. It remains unclear how many episodes will be produced for Rectify's final run.

Created by Oscar winner Ray McKinnon, the series centers on Daniel Holden (Aden Young) when he returns to his small Georgia town after serving 19 years on death row.

"Rectify is in many ways an existential story that was allowed to come to life during an existential era in serial storytelling," McKinnon said in a statement. "It was a case of perfect timing with the perfect partners. I have always felt that Rectify could end at any time or just as easily continue. Well, not easily. But there is no perfect 'end' for this story nor for these characters. They will continue to live on. We just won't document them any longer. And the timing of this 'non-end' end feels exactly right. SundanceTV has been a dream to work with on this journey; I am so grateful to have been allowed the freedom to tell the tale I wanted to tell in the way I felt it should be told with the mad and beautiful collaborators who joined me on the ride... Oh wait, we haven't shot the final season yet. I'll get back to you."

Although the Peabody award winner never amassed a massive following, Rectify was an important project for SundanceTV, leading the way for other original series like the forthcoming Hap and Leonard as well as mini The Last Panthers.

The decision to wrap up Rectify comes less than a year after Charlie Collier added oversight of the AMC Networks-owned cable network, taking over for Sarah Barnett — who now oversees BBC America. Collier told reporters Friday at TCA that the cable network would have "more originals than ever," with each debuting on Wednesday nights. "Rectify has played such a huge role in raising the credibility and awareness of the network," he said. "We're looking forward to giving Rectify the send-off it deserves."

Collier also announced a new scripted drama, The A-Word, centering on a family after their five-year-old son is diagnosed with autism.

Based on the Israeli Keshet and July August Productions drama series, Yellow Peppers, Peter Bowker (Marvellous) wrote the adaptation and will exec produce with Patrick Spence, Jenny Frayn, Sara Johnson, Avi Nir and Lucy Richer. The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo, Dominic Leclerc (Shameless) and Susan Tully (Good Cop) will direct season one's six hourlong episodes. The series hails from Fifty Fathoms, Keshet UK and BBC One.